I've realized that I have neglected telling you WHY I have such a passion for tattoos in general. I grew up with a father who was in a traveling rock and roll band, and a mother who was his biggest fan. Though tattoos weren't as prominent in the 80s, there were popular public figures that weren't afraid to flaunt their ink.
I remember in fourth grade, seeing a live concert DVD of
Motley Crue with my father and being mesmerized by drummer
Tommy Lee's tribal designs (that is of course before the ever so popular tribal band became a trademark for fraternity boys across the US).
The patterns on his skin were more than a social statement. To me, they were art and a way of expressing ones self permanently, rather than a piece of clothing which would ultimately end up in the trash or a shadow box on a fan's wall.
Since then, having a tattoo has become the norm, rather than a unique characteristic.
It is often rare to find someone who does not have a tattoo, than one who has.
I recieved my first tattoo on my 18th birthday, and have aquired seven more five years later. To me, tattoos aren't to rebel and make my parents angry. They aren't to impress my friends or give myself a certain social status. Tattoos are a way of expressing myself, showing a map on my body of where my heart has been.
In a sense, I literally do wear my heart on my sleeve. Though in this case, is also displayed on my foot, hip, ribcage, wrist, bicep, lip, stomache and other locations that are to be determined.
So, next time you see someone's ink, don't be so quick to judge them. Think why they decided on that specific design in the first place. You could learn more about the most complicated person by looking at their cover, and continuing to read inside out.
